USPS damaged item, who should submit claim to usps (sent priority mail - item valued at $50)

[midwestliving]

I sold an item for about $40.  Charged buyer for USPS priority mail.  They want a refund, 3 full weeks later because it's broken.  I  told them they will get a refund from USPS when they take the item and shipping materials to their USPS office, along with the invoice, etc.

They do NOT want to do this, claim it is my responsibility.  They want to send the item back to me instead and receive a refund through ebay.  I don't want to have to pay for the shipping back to me - a fee of $8+.  

What should I do?  What is normally done when there is damage caused by USPS?  That's the whole reason to send using priority mail?   Any advice would be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

The buyer has the Money Back Guarantee to back them up. You're responsible for refunding them. Insurance is for the seller, not the buyer.

[donsdetour]

If you are sure it is broke refund and save the postage of a return:

If you think they are scamming you return for refund.

Depends on how much you are willing for loss in how you handle the case if one has been opened.

[clemowbooks]

Wring question.

You are getting way ahead of yourself.

Has she opened an EBay Dispute?

What proof of damage has she sent you?

First send this note:
"I regret that you are unhappy with your purchase. Please return it for a refund."

If she asks for a partial refund

"I regret that you are unhappy with your purchase. Please return it for a refund."

If she threatens negative feedback

"I regret that you are unhappy with your purchase. Please return it for a refund."

If she says she will open a Not As Described dispute.

"I regret that you are unhappy with your purchase. Please return it for a refund."

If she opens a Not As Described Dispute

"I regret that you are unhappy with your purchase. Please return it for a refund."

EBay will probably instruct you to send a Return Shipping Label.

Do it.

If she doesn't then return the item (for example, she wants to keep it AND get the refund) you win the Dispute and don't have to refund at all

Eventually the RSL will be creditted to you.

If she does return it, pay the $8.

If she was right, you learned something about packaging, and you can open the insurance claim with USPS. 

Because you paid for it, so you are the beneficiary.

If she was just having Buyer Remorse, you have a perfectly good item to relist and resell.

In addition, by cooperating with the NAD Dispute, you get your eBay fees back and possibly some of your Paypal fees.

Your choice is to be out $8 or to be out $40.

[stainlessenginecovers]

If item was broken upon delivery, USPS will only perform a refund if the item is 

a.) package itself shows obvious damage (item inside broken would be deemed 'poor packing' and not paid)

b.) package has to be available to USPS for inspection, should they want to see it. It CANNOT be 'reshipped' to you, that voids any insurance.

So, ask the buyer if the package was obviously damaged, or just the item itself. If the latter, you can avoid paying 'shipping back to you' by simply having them throw it away and refund them in full. 

If the answer was 'it was obviously damaged' then try to explain to them USPS requirements; but this is all very doubtful as it has been 3 weeks. More than likely the package was not obviously damaged. 

[kensgiftshop]

@midwestliving 

When they file an INAD, you refund the buyer and have them hang on to the item and package so it can be inspected.

Get a couple pics of box and item, then you file a claim with USPS.